Hey, I'm Sophie, a passionate yogini originally from Yorkshire.

For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the vibrant yoga community here in Queenstown. My teaching style aims to blend tradition with novelty in order to explore the beauty and depth of yoga in a way that’s both dynamic and soulful.

If you join me for a class, you’ll probably notice I’m smiling a lot—that’s just because I love sharing this practice with others and it makes me so happy to see people enjoying it too.

Hope to see you on the mat :)

Claire grew up in Brighton, England but after travelling around New Zealand and captivated by the natural beauty and lifestyle of Queenstown, she decided to make it her home in 2005.

Claire’s passion for yoga deepened in her 30’s and she completed her 200-hour Vinyasa Flow Teacher Training in 2016, followed by a 100-hour Restorative and Yoga Nidra Teacher Training in 2017 and Yoga Nidra Levels 2 & 3 in 2019. She is currently completing a trauma informed Yin and Nervous System training. Claire is passionate about helping others tap into their own capacity for healing and growth. She aims to create a nurturing space where students can connect more deeply with themselves, have meaningful experiences, and feel supported on their personal journeys.

Claire teaches weekly Restorative and Yoga Nidra classes at Yama Yoga on Monday evenings and offers private sessions, workshops, and seminars on request. No matter what the day has brought, there is a gentle supportive space available in Claire's classes.

"In this fast paced world, we are pushed and pulled in so many directions, often riding a rollercoaster of busy-ness, stress and overwhelm and yet still feel that we should be doing ‘more’. I have been there and I understand. Restorative yoga practices teach us to experience the true power of ‘pause’, we allow time to replenish ourselves and rediscover that doing less can often create space for more, so that we can have an increased capacity for life. I love facilitating Yoga Nidra in my classes, as it fosters deep relaxation and inner tranquility - offering an wonderful conclusion to our restorative practice. “

This is an all levels and beginner friendly class. All are welcome.

Rumour completed her yoga training in 2021 with The Power Yoga Company in London, specialising in both Power and Yin and now has over 350 hours of training under her belt.

With a theatrical background, a big heart and a nurturing energy, her classes explore freedom of self-expression through movement and creative sequencing.

From boosting the immune system to strengthening tired muscles, Rumour advocates the many health benefits of asana, pranayama and meditation as part of a lifestyle rather than another exercise tick box to check off the list. With a focus on transporting the mind to a peaceful realm through strong postures, balances and nourishing breathwork, after a class with Rumour, you will leave radiating positivity!

Clo’s first experience of yoga was at the age of 14, when her mum dragged her to a sunrise yoga class in the grounds of a temple ruin in India. Neither of them had ever done yoga before, but for Clo it sparked what would become a lifelong passion. From this, she continued her own practice over the next 23 years, across 6 different countries, and eventually took the step to becoming a teacher in 2022. Clo believes yoga is the antidote to the hustle and bustle of modern life.

With a background in mental health and wellness, both in the UK, and in Aotearoa, Clo truly sees that now more than ever, we need to take time for ourselves; to pause the chaos, and breathe and move our way to a healthier physical, mental and emotional state, and connect to our true Self.

Her personal yoga style is strong vinyasa flows focusing on improving strength and flexibility, whilst bringing the body and mind into balance

Clarissa: I was born in Santiago, Chile, and moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2010 seeking a new challenge. It was here that I discovered my deep passion for yoga, which eventually led me to pursue teaching as my true calling. After two years dedicated to refining my personal practice, I traveled to India to embark on my teaching journey. There, I completed a 200-hour teacher training with Rishikesh Yogapeeth, a renowned school of yoga. Since then, I have had the privilege of facilitating yoga, sharing the wisdom of the practice, and supporting others on their own transformative journeys.

I view teaching as my way of giving back, sharing the knowledge and insights I’ve gained. I am excited to guide students through their own yoga journeys, helping them connect with their bodies, minds, and hearts. I firmly believe that cultivating this ancient wisdom can be a key to both personal growth and contributing to the well-being of our world.

Always eager to deepen my understanding, I have also completed specialized trainings in Yin Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness, as well as various workshops, including Trauma-Informed Yoga and Anatomy for Yoga.

Meet Lilia, the founder of Lilia Rossana Yoga. Drawing from her rich experiences as a Brazilian wanderer across 40+ countries and three continents, Lilia brings a profound sense of adventure and a deep connection to nature into her teachings, inspiring students to embrace the world of yoga with a holistic and mindful approach.

Since 2013, New Zealand has been Lilia's home, where the breathtaking landscapes and pulsating energy of the land have seamlessly intertwined with her yoga practice. With a natural ability to foster welcoming and nurturing learning environments, Lilia's diverse expertise and extensive background create a well-rounded and comprehensive yoga experience for her students.

Her teachings are a testament to the profound impact of her mentors, including Emily Kuser, Sally Kempton, Tara Judelle, and Bex Tyler, whose wisdom have deeply shaped her understanding of yoga and its transformative power.

Anna - Originally from the UK, now a Queenstown local for 6 years and in the midst of bringing up my two young children. With a background in Personal training, I went on to do my yoga teacher training here in Queenstown in 2020, and I have continued practicing and teaching here ever since. My love for Vinyasa comes from the quietness it brings to my mind as I focus only on connecting flowing movement to breath. Everything else disappears. Slow flow brings space to my practice, allowing time in each Asana to truly feel it in my body.

Originally from French-speaking Québec, Canada, Luxmi brings a calm and centered presence to her teaching. Her journey began in India in 2017, where she trained in Hatha-Vinyasa Flow and then studied with a traditional Himalayan yogi, blending ancient wisdom with modern practice.

She deepened her experience while living at Anahata Yoga Retreat in New Zealand, exploring Hatha, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, and yogic lifestyle, later completing a Yin Yoga teacher training. 

At Yama Yoga, Luxmi offers holistic classes weaving asana, pranayama, and meditation for strength, balance, vitality and inner stillness. Her approach invites self-awareness, joy, and connection, leaving students feeling both grounded and uplifted.

Join Luxmi in practice and experience the beauty of yoga!

I became a yoga teacher in 2010 while living in Wellington, completing my 200-hour teacher training with Hot Yoga New Zealand. Years prior, yoga was my refuge from a corporate job in the US and a means of destressing at the end of a week. It was my weekly luxury. Thus, the sentiment continues to this day, as it is a luxury and a privilege to explore moving the body and calming the fluctuations of the mind through yoga.

I continued my journey by obtaining my 500-hour teacher training with Asheville Yoga Centre in Asheville, NC (USA). This training, along with the influence of my yoga teachers and mentors, inspired me to become a massage therapist by attending the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga. A school and curriculum that balanced western anatomy and physiology with yogic science, medicine, and energetics through Ayurveda. A practice I continue today as a CranioSacral and Massage Therapist and aspire to include in my yoga classes. This is all surface to the journey that has taken place off the mat and deeper within. And I imagine this is where we all really meet as yoga students. Yet we all still venture to meet in a room, on a mat, to move, to breath, to let go, to learn, and to be our best selves. I look forward to meeting you there.

Originally from Malaysia and now based in New Zealand, Eric’s yoga journey has been one of passion, growth and dedication. He first fell in love with the practice at True Yoga/True Fitness, attending multiple classes a day to refine his movement and mindfulness. But as life got busier, his practice took a pause—until he felt the undeniable call to return to the mat.

Taking a leap of faith, Eric completed his Fierce Grace Hot Yoga Teacher Training in 2021 and has been teaching consistently ever since. While his roots are in hot yoga, his love for the practice goes beyond the heat. At Yama Studio, Eric brings his expertise in Hatha yoga, guiding students through mindful movements that build strength, flexibility and balance—both physically and mentally.

With a warm and encouraging teaching style, Eric creates a welcoming space for all levels to explore, grow and reconnect with themselves. Whether you're stepping onto the mat for the first time or deepening your practice, Eric will help you move with confidence, breathe with intention and find joy in the journey.

Come Hatha with Eric—let’s move, breathe and grow together!